Member for Delyn since 1992. Committees: Member, Select Committee on Public Services 1996-97; Member, Welsh Affairs Select Committee 1992-96. Political career: Government Whip and Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tony Blair as Prime Minister since 2001; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales 1999-2001; Assistant Government Whip 1988-99; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Chief Secretary to the Treasury 1997-98; Campaign Co-ordinator to John Prescott MP as Deputy Leader 1995-97; Councillor, Northwich Town Council 1987-91; Councillor, Vale Borough Council 1983-91; Leader, Labour Group 1989-91; Euro-Candidate for Cheshire West 1984; Parliamentary Candidate for Eddisbury 1983; elected MP for Delyn 1992. Special political interests: Local government, foreign affairs, heritage issues, drug and solvent abuse. Profession/Trade: Former Director of national charity helping young people to cope with the problem of drug abuse. Education: Verdin Comprehensive School, Winsford; University of Hull, BA (Hons), PGCE. Hobbies: Football, political memorabilia.
b. 5 July 1957, Liverpool. Married with four children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	15,540	45.7	-5.8	17,825	51.5
Conservative	8,896	26.2	-0.5	9,220	26.6
Lib Dem	6,089	17.9	2.5	5,329	15.4
Plaid Cymru	2,524	7.4	0.9	2,262	6.5
UKIP	533	1.6	-	-	-
Independent	422	1.2	-	-	-
Majority	6,644	19.5		8,605	24.8
Turnout	34,004	64.4	1.1	34,636	63.3